Tag Archives: LifeDesigns

While political battles in Congress forced cuts to social services across the country in 2013, the year also saw a combination of local events affecting a population that has long depended on the social safety net. People experiencing homelessness were at the center of controversies over police harassment, city zoning laws, and a lack of adequate shelter. The issue that got the most attention began this Spring, when advocates for the homeless worked to establish replacements for the low-barrier shelter at the Genesis Church, which didn’t open this year. But there were problems finding a safe, affordable location. And many advocates complained that city government was antagonistic to their efforts. Meanwhile, throughout the year a community group has been working on strategies to deal with homelessness in the long-term. And in September, LifeDesigns and the Shalom Center announced the opening of a new facility, called the Crawford Apartments, that now provides long-term housing for 27 people classified as chronically homeless.

CREDITS
The best of 2013 is a production of the WFHB news department.
Correspondent Wes Martin and Assistant News Director Joe Crawford contributed to today’s reports.
Today’s episode was produced by Joe Crawford.
Our theme music is provided by Legs
Executive producer is Alycin Bektesh